polyp

noun

pol·​yp ˈpä-ləp 

1

: the sessile form of cnidarian (such as a coral or sea anemone) typically having a hollow cylindrical body closed and attached at one end and opening at the other by a central mouth surrounded by tentacles armed with nematocysts

2

: a growth projecting from a mucous membrane (as of the colon or vocal cords)

polypoid

ˈpä-lə-ˌpȯid 

adjective

Examples of polyp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Chronic rhinosinusitis and asthma often occur together, especially in people with nasal polyps. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Mar. 2025

However, polyps’ internal growth programming isn’t everything. —Quanta Magazine, 26 Feb. 2025

The giant inflatable colon helps illustrate health issues that can impact the critical organ, including colon cancer, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, colitis, internal hemorrhoids and polyps and how colonoscopy screenings can help detect them. —Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025

The survey found that 57 percent are unaware that these screenings can prevent colorectal cancer by removing precancerous polyps. —Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French polype octopus, nasal polyp, from Old French polipe, from Latin polypus, from Greek polypous, from poly- + pous foot — more at foot

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for polyp

• dollop
• wallop

Kids Definition

polyp

noun

pol·​yp ˈpäl-əp 

: an invertebrate animal (as a sea anemone or a coral) that is a coelenterate having a hollow cylinder-shaped body closed and attached at one end and opening at the other by a central mouth surrounded by tentacles armed with minute stinging organs

Medical Definition

polyp

noun

pol·​yp ˈpäl-əp 

: a projecting mass of swollen and hypertrophied or tumorous membrane (as in the nasal cavity or the intestine)

called also polypus